Signs of theft

But the Highways Agency has foiled any future road sign robberies by replacing the stolen signposts with tough but worthless polycarbonate models made from plastic and glass.

Last month, 30 to 40 large aluminium signs were taken by crooks who probably knew they would be worth a fair sum to any scrap metal dealer.

The thefts forced the Highways Agency to produce lots of new signs in a very short time from the strong, modern material but the production run was not without its problems.

As reported in last week's Sussex Express, one of the new arrivals at Glynde now points motorists in the direction of 'Glynbourne' a spelling mistake repeated on two other signs on the A27.

A spokesman from the Highways Agency said: 'We are really, really sorry about the mistakes. Because all the old signs were stolen, we had no templates for the new ones, and of course we had to produce lots of signs in a very short period of time.

'We will have the three offending signs replaced as soon as possible. Because they're made of polycarbonate, they're worth nothing as scrap and there's a sticker on the back of each one which says so. Hopefully, it will put off any future thefts.'